Casein drier



F. V. SILVA CASEIN DRIER Jan. 12, 1937.

Filed May 11, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 12, 1937. F. v. SILVA 2,037,506

CASEIN DRIER Filed May 11, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 F. V. SILVA Jan. 12, 1937.

CASEIN DRIER- Filed May 11, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Eula/71 V Silva.

WRYLMMA F. V. SILVA CASEIN DRIER Jam 12, 1937.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 11, 1936 Nani VSz'lVw.

Gum/MA F. V. SILVA CASElN DRIER Jan. 12, 1937.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 11 1936 I I 1 706 ZOO I II 3mm I Iran/K VSiZl/(b.

Patent ed Jan. 12, 1937 casanv mama Frank v. Silva, Turlock, Galif. Application May 11, 1936, Serial No. 19,195

10 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for drying casein. 7

An important object of theinvention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character, wherein the wet casein is advanced, agitated, and subjected to the action of heat and air, for efl'ecting a uniform drying of the same.

A further object ofethe invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character which is highly efficient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus,

Figure 3 is an elevation of the opposite end,

Figure 4 is a plan view of the upper unit,

Figure 5 is a similar view of the lower unit,

Figure 6 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the casing or drum of the upper unit,

, Figure 7 is a transverse section taken on the line ii-I of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a'similar view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 6,

Figure 9 is a similar view taken on line 99 of Figure 6,

Figure 10 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the casing or drum included in the lower unit, I

Figure 11 is a transverse section taken on line IIH of Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a transverse section taken on line l2-l2 of Figure 10,

Figure 11a is a detailed section taken on line lla--lla of Figure 11, and

Figure 12a; is a transverse section taken on line i2a,l2a of Figure 10.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numerals I5 and I6 designate upper and lower unit preferably arranged in superposed relation, as shown. The wet casein is first introduced into the upper unit and is therein subjected to the action of agitation, a feeding movement and heated air, and the resultant partially dried casin is then discharged from the upper unit into the lower unit, wherein the agitating. feeding and drying is continued or completed.

Attention being called first to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 to 9, inclusive, the numeral I'l designates a long preferably cylindrical stationary casing or drum. This casing or drum may be of any suitable length, and I have found that satisfactory resuits are obtained by forming the same sixty feet in length. This stationary casing or drum is pref erably made up of casing or drum sections l8, provided at its ends with flanges l9, rigidly connected by bolts 20 or the like, with suitable gaskets between the flanges, for effecting an air-tight joint. The casing or drum I1 is preferably longitudinally inclined, extending upwardly toward its discharge end, and the casing or drum is supported by framework 2|, or the like. The lower end of the casing or drum I1 is closed by a head 22 secured in place by bolts 23, while the upper end of the casing or drum is closed by a head 24, held in place by bolts 25 or the like. These heads form air-tight joints with the casing or drum.

Operating within the casing or drum I1 is a spiral combined agitator and conveyor 26, comprising a. shaft 21, preferably formed in sections, corresponding to the casing or drum sections, and these shaft sections are rigidly bolted together, as shown at 28. The shaft 21 is vertically inclined and has its longitudinal axis arranged parallel with the longitudinal axis of the casing or drum. The lower end of the shaft 28 is journalled in a bearing 29, secured to the head 22, while its upper end is journalled in a bearing 30 secured to the head 2i, and the intermediate portions are journalled in bearings 3!, carried by arms 32, rigidly attached to the casing or drum, as shown. The spiral conveyor further comprises spiral blades or vanes 33, carried by the shaft sections, corresponding in length thereto. Each spiral vane or blade extends about the shaft in spaced relation, affording central passages 34 and is rigidly attached to the shaft section by radial arms 35. The spiral vanes or blades 33 may have openings 36 formed therein and straight blades 31 may be secured to the spiral blade and extend at generally a right angle thereto and longitudinally of the stationary casing or drum. The straight blade may have apertures 38 formed therein. The purpose of these straight blades is to further agitate and aerate the wet casein.

The wet casein is supplied into the lower end of the stationary casing or drum I! through a pipe 39, preferably leading therein through the side of the drum, Figures 4 and 6. Pipe 39 has a cut ofi valve 39', as shown. When entering the stationary drum, the wet casein is acted upon by the spiral conveyor, agitated and fed longitudinally through the stationary casing or drum and discharged from the upper end of the drum through an outlet pipe 40. Extending longitudinally of the stationary casing or drum and exteriorly thereof, is a relatively large hot air supply pipe 4| preferably formed in sections corresponding to the sections of the stationary drum. This hot air supply pipe is rigidly attached to the stationary casing or drum andis longitudinally inclined with the casing. At. its lower i 170 efiect this Dreheating, a steam coil 65 surrounds the intake end of the pipe 53. The steam coil id is connected in a steam heating pipe 65 "which receives steam under suitable pressure, from any suitable source. The steam heating pipe 55 may beprovided with a thermostatic valve 56 to regulate the temperature'of this steam heating pipe. The steam heating pipe extends longitudinally within the hot air supply pipe 6i and is preferably arranged near the upper portion thereof. The free end of this steam heating pipe is closed and the interior of the same has no communication with interior of the hot air supply pipe M, but the pipe &5 simply serves to further heat the air within the pipe M.

If desired, all of the heated air blown or supplied into the pipe 'll may be introduced into the lower intake end of the stationary casing orv adapted to close the branch pipe ill, in whole,

or in part.

Means are also provided for supplying the heated air into the upper portion of the stationary drum. This means comprises short pipes or nozzle heads 50, arranged within an outwardly bulging longitudinal pocket 5!, formed in the upper portion of the stationary casing or drum. These nozzle heads have apertures 5i arranged -to supply or discharge the heated air downwardly,

as shown. The nozzle heads are connected with branch pipes 52, leading into the hot air supply pipe 4i and equipped with valves 53.' Corresponding in number with the branch pipes 52, and arranged in transverse alignment with the same, are downwardly directed branch pipes 5 3, which lead into the stationary casing or drum ll, preferably at the side of the same, and preferably atithe elevation of the shaft 27. The pipes 5d are arranged to supply the heated air in a downwardly direction into the stationary casing or drum, generally at a tangent with relation thereto, so that the heated air will tend to travel circumferentially within the casing or drum. The

pipes 54 lead into the hot air supply pipe 5H and,

are'equipped with valves 55. It is thus seen that means are provided to supply the heated air under suitable pressure, in a downwardly direction, at the top of the stationary casing or drum, and to also supply the heated air in, a downwardly direction at the side of the stationary casing or drum in such a manner that the air tends to travel circumferentially of the drum. If desired, valves 53 and 55 can be closed, and all of the heated air discharged into the intake end of the stationary casing or drum through the branch pipe Bl, by opening valve 49, or valve i9.me.y be closed and valves 53 and 55 opened, or all valves may driven by a motor 59. This motor also drives a belt 60, extending upwardly to drive the rotary centrifugal blower 2.

The lower unit l6 comprises a stationary casing or drum 6!, similar to the drum ll, but the drum 6! has an increased vertical dimension and is of a pronounced elliptical form in vertical crosssection. The stationary drum 6! is vertically inclined and extends upwardly toward its disbined conveyor and agitator, similar to the conveyor and agitator 26 and comprising a rotary shaft 62, journalled in bearings 63 and 6d. The agitator and conveyor comprises spiral blades or vanes 65, having apertures 66, and attached to the shaft 62, in spaced, relation, by arms 66'. The blades or vanes 65 carry straight agitating blades 67, corresponding to the blades 31. The casein passing through the stationary casing or drum Bl is agitated, fed and aerated and dried and is discharged through an outlet chute or pipe 68.

The stationary casing or drum M is provided with a hot air supply pipe 69, corresponding to the pipe M. This hot air supply pipe 69 is provided with a downwardly extending branch pipe m, Figure 12, equipped with a cut-off valve H and leading into the lower intake end of the stationary casing or drum 6!, as shown. The casing or drum M is provided in its top with outwardly bulging pockets l2, within which are arranged short pipes or nozzle heads I3, having apertures Hi. These nozzle heads are adapted to spray the heated air in a downwardly direction, as shown in Figure 11.- Connected with the nozzle heads 12 are branch pipes 15, Figure 5, having cut-01f valves 76 and pipes 15 lead into the hot air supply pipe 69. Corresponding in number with the branch pipes 15, and in transverse alignment therewith, are downwardly directed branch pipes ll, Figure 12a, which lead into the side of the stationary casing or drum 6i,

near its lower portion or bottom and at substantially the elevation of the shaft 52, and generally at a tangent to the bottom so that the hot air supplied into the casing or drum will travel circumferentially therein. Branch pipes 75 lead into the hot air supply pipe 69 and are equipped with cut-off valves 18, Figure 12a. It is thus seen that by closing valves 76 and i8 and opening valve H, the hot air may be introduced into the lower intake end of the casing or drum through the branch pipe 10 alone, or valve H may be closed and valves 76 and 78 opened, whereby the heated air will be supplied through the nozzle heads 12 and branch pipes 11, or all valves may be opened, in whole or inpart. It is thus seen that a large range of adjustment is obtainable. The air within the pipe 69 is heated by a steam heating pipe l9, corresponding to the pipe 45. Pipe i9 is inpipe 69 but has no communication with the same. This steam heating pipe has a steam coil 80 connected therein and also has a thermostatic valve 8!, connected therein, for regulating the temperature of the steam heating pipe. The steam heating pipe is connected with any suitable source of steam, under suitable pressure.

The steam coil 80 surrounds the intake pipe 82 7 of a rotary centrifugal blower 83, whereby the air is heated before entering the blower and the outlet end of the rotary blower leads into the pipe 69. The outlet end of the hot air supply pipe 4| from the upper unit is continued in the form of a down turned extension 84 and this extension or pipe 84 leads into the pipe 69, forwardly of and near the rotary blower 83. Pipe 8d is equipped with a cut-ofl valve 85. At its opposite end, pipe 69 leads into a pipe extension 88, discharging into the atmosphere exteriorly of the building.

ing or drum 6!, adjacent to its forward outlet end, is an air discharge pipe 9|, Figure 11, the intake end of which is covered by a screen 92, of suitable mesh. The pipe 9i leads into the lower end of a vertical settling trap casing 93, having an observation window 9 3 and a door so that access may be had to the interior of the same, when desired. The trap casing 93 discharges at its upper end into a horizontal pipe 96, having an opening in its lower portion covered by a section of screen 91. A removable tray 97' is arranged to catch the casein passing through recess 97. The horizontal pipe 96 is continued in a vertical portion 98, leading to the atmosphere exteriorly of the building. The function of the trap arrangement is to catch any excess of dried casein powder which might tend to pass over with the air discharging from the drum (ii. I

Arranged near and beneath the outlet chute M, are stationary hoppers 99 and we. The hopper 99 is arranged beneath an opening HM formed in the chute (it and this opening may be covered by a removable plate Hi2. The hopper illt is arranged beneath an opening I03 formed in the chute. If the casein is completely dried, when 7 discharging from the drum GI, plate 192 may be removed and the dried casein will enter the hopper 99, and may be suitably collected from this hopper. If the casein is not completely dried, plate I02 is used to cover the opening HM and the casein will pass through the opening E03 into the hopper I00 and may be collected therefrom and again returned to the upper casing or drum ii to be again run through the upper and lower units.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The blower 32 of the upper unit and the blower of the lower unit are both set into action, while steam is supplied into the steam heating pipes, which extend through the relatively large air supply pipes ii and 69. The excess heated air discharging from the hot air supply pipe M, passes through pipe extension 8d and enters the hot air supply pipe 69, at a point adjacent to the blower 83. The valvesfiQ and H, Figures 9 and 12, may now be closed. The damp casein is fed into the stationary casing of the upper unit through the pipe 39, and falls to the bottom of the stationary casing. The damp casein is engaged by the spiral conveyor, thoroughly agitated, and fed forwardly within the stationary casing, while being subjected to the drying action of the heated air. The heated air is discharged into the stationary casing, throughout the major portion of its length, by the nozzle heads 50, the air being discharged in a downwardly direction, as indicated by the arrows, particularly in Figure 8. At spaced intervals, the air is also discharged into the stationary casing through the pipes 54, and travels generally circumferentially within the lower portion of the casing, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 8. It is thus seen that the casein is thoroughly agitated, aerated, and dried to a certain extent. This partly dried casein discharges through the pipe 40 and enters the lower stationary casing of the lower unit. In this lower casing the casein is again subjected to agitation, a feeding movement, and the drying action of the heated air. The material finally discharges through chute 68, into hoppers 99 or, I00, as explained.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described'is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In apparatus for drying casein or the like, an elongated casing, apertured pipes arranged within the top of the casing in a longitudinal group and in end-to-end relation, each pipe extending throughout a substantial portion of the length of the elongated casing, devices circumferentially spaced from the apertured pipes and discharging in a downwardly direction into the teriorly thereof, a rotary blower connected with the hot air supply pipe and having an air intake pipe, a steam heating pipe extending into the hot air supply pipe and having a coil surrounding the air intake pipe of the blower, and means receiving heated air from the hot air supply pipe and discharging the same into the casing.

3. In apparatus for drying casein or the like. an elongated casing having an intake end and an outlet near its discharge end, means for introducing damp casein into the intake end of the casing, a spiral conveyor extending longitudinally within the casing and including a shaft and a spiral blade radially spaced from the shaft to provide an inner passage, blades secured to the spiral blade and extending longitudinally of the casing, means having its outlet disposed at an elevation above the spiral conveyor for feeding near the elevation of the shaft for feeding heated air in a downwardly direction into the casing.

4. In apparatus for drying casein or the like, a unit including an elongated casing having an intake end and discharge end, means for introducing damp casein into the intake end of the casing, a hot air supply pipe extending longitudinally of the casing and exteriorly thereof, a rotary blower connected with the hot air supply pipe, means for supplying heated air from the hot air supply pipe into the casing, a second unit comprising an elongated casing having an intake end and discharge end, a casein outlet pipe'connected with the discharge end of the casing of the first unit and leading into the inlet end of the casing of the second unit, a hot air supplypipe extending longitudinally of the casing of the second unit, a rotary blower connected with the last named hot air supply pipe, a pipe connected with the hot air supply pipe of' the first unit and leading into the hot air supply pipe of the second unit, and means receiving the heated air from the hot air supply pipe of the second unit and introducing the same into the casing of the second unit.

5.-In apparatus for drying casein or the like,

an elongated casing, means for introducing caseit; into the casing near one end thereof, casein outlet means arranged near the opposite end of the casing, a hot air supply pipe extending longitudinally of the casing and exteriorly thereof, means for supplying air under pressure into,the hot air supply pipe, a steam heating pipe extending longitudinally of the hot air supply pipe for heating the same, apertured pipes arranged within the casing and extending longitudinally thereof, branch pipes connected with the aperturedpipes and with the hot air supply pipe, cut-ofi valves connected in the branch pipes, and means operating within the casing to agitate the casein'and feed the same longitudinally of the casing.

6. In apparatus for drying casein or the like, an elongated casing having intake and discharge ends, means for introducing casein into the casing near its intake end, means for discharging the casein from the casing near the discharge end, a hot air supply pipe extending longitudinally of the casing, a branch pipe connected with the hot air supply pipe and discharging into the casing near its intake end to supply a relatively large volume of heated air into the casing, a cutoff valve connected with the branch pipe, branch pipes connected with the hot air supply pipe and discharging into the casing at points spaced longitudinally of the same, each of the last named branch pipes being smaller in diameter than the first named branch pipe and thereby discharging a smaller volume of heated air into the casing than the first named branch pipe, a cutofi valve connected with each of the last named branch pipes, and means arranged, within the casing to agitate the casein and feed the same longitudinally of the casing.

7. In apparatus for drying casein or the like,

i an elongated casing having intake and discharge ends, means for introducing casein into the casing near the intake end, means for discharging the casein from the casing near the discharge end, a hot air supply pipe extending longitudinally of the casing, means for introducing air under pressure into the hot air supply pipe, a branch pipe of relatively large diameter communicating with the hot air supply pipe and leading into the casing near its intake end, a valve connected in the branch pipe, branch pipes leading into the air supply pipe, each of the last named branch pipes being smaller in diameter than the first named branch pipe, a cut-off valve connected in each of the last named branch pipes, apertured pipes within the casing and connected with the last named branch pipes, and means arranged within the casing to agitate the casein therein and feed the same longitudinally of the casing.

8. In apparatus for drying casein or the like, an elongated casing having intake and discharge ends, means for supplying casein into the casing near its intake end, means for discharging the casein from the casing near its discharge end, a hot air supply pipe extending longitudinally of the casing, a lower branchpipe having a relatively large diameter leading into the hot air supply pipe and discharging in a downwardly direction into the casing, the outlet end of the branch pipe being arranged near the lower portion of the casing, upper branch pipes connected with the air supply pipe and leading into the casing at points spaced longitudinally thereof,

each upper branch pipe being smaller in diameter than the lower branch pipe, a cut-ofi valve connected in each upper'branch pipe, apertured pipes arranged within the casing and connected with the upper branch pipes, lower branch pipes leading into the hot airsupply pipe and leading into the casing at points spaced longitudinally of the same and discharging therein in a downwardly direction, each of the lower branch pipes being smaller in diameter than the first named lower branch pipe, a cut-off valve connected in each of the smaller lower branch pipes, and means arranged within the casing to agitate the casein and feed the same longitudinally.

9. In apparatus for drying casein or the like,

a unit including an elongated casing having intake and discharge ends, means for introducing casein into the casing near the intake end, a hot air supplyv pipe extending longitudinally of the casing, means for supplying heated air from the hot air supply pipe into the casing, a second unit comprising an elongated casing having intake and discharge ends, a casein outlet pipe connected with the casing of the first unit near its discharge end and leading into the casing of the second unit near its intake end, a hot air supply pipe extending longitudinally of the casing of the second unit, a pipe connected with the hot air supply pipe of the first unit and connected with the hot air supply pipe of the second unit, means receiving heated air from the hot air supply pipe of the second unit and introducing the same into the casing of the second unit, casein discharge means arranged near the discharge end of the casing of the second unit, and means arranged within the casing of each unit to agitate the casein therein and feed the same longitudinally of the casing.

10. In apparatus for drying casein or the like, a unit including an elongated casing having intake and discharge ends, means for introducing casein into the casing near its intake end, a hot air supply pipe arranged near the casing, means to heat the hot air supply pipe, a rotary blower connected with the hot air supply pipe, means for supplying heated air from the hot air supply pipe into the casing, a second unit comprising an elongated casing having intake and discharge ends, a casein outlet pipe connected with the casing of the first outlet near its discharge end and leading into the casing of the second unit near its intake end, a hot air supply pipe arranged near the casing of the second unit, means to heat the last named hot airsupply pipe, a rotary blower connected with the last named hot air supply pipe, a pipe connected with the hot air supply pipe of the first unit and leading into the hot air supply pipe of the second unit, a cut-ofi valve connected in the last named pipe, means receiving heated air from the hot air supply pipe of the second unit and introducing the same into the casing of the second unit, casein discharge means arranged near the discharge end of the casing of the second unit, and means arranged within the. casing of each unit to agitate the casein therein and feed the same longitudinally of the casing.

V. SILVA. 

